Guest aurora_borealis Posted November 30, 2009 Share #41 Posted November 30, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) (...) the best photos are often when dust is flying around (...) ... it's also great to walk around in a snowstorm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 30, 2009 Posted November 30, 2009 Hi Guest aurora_borealis, Take a look here extreme weather - Leica MP. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
marcusperkins Posted November 30, 2009 Share #42 Posted November 30, 2009 ... it's also great to walk around in a snowstorm. Definitely - I've always loved the rendering of snow (and winter in general) on very coarse grained film. Very ethereal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted November 30, 2009 Share #43 Posted November 30, 2009 Dear photographers, I would like to share my hands-on experience with especially the Leica MP here in Greenland. What is important to me, is to have a tool that I can rely on in this climate. I don't want a camera that quits in the middle of the action so I were excited to find out how my M-equipment would function here in the arctic. First, It turned out that my newly-bought M8 is worthless in this climate. All the batteries die after 5 min. of use on a normal sunny day, and so the camera sits in my bag for the rest of the day. I did not dare to bring it out in the pouring rain or in a snowstorm, because it is full of electronics, but I guess the result would be the same: the batteries die or something even worse happens. So I put the M8 in the closet and it has been there for almost 5 months. After the first disapointing M8 experiences, I took my MP out for 3 hours in the non-stop pouring summer rain, hanging around my neck unprotected against the water. The camera and lens were soaked but everything was fine. No damage at all. Sometime later, I brought the MP out on a sunny day with just below 0 degree celcius. Piece of cake. No damage. Later, I took it for a walk in the snow and accidently banged it against the rocky ground lying under the snow because I slipped. My heart stopped for 3 seconds but no damage or errors occured to the camera. The lens was fine too. In a heavy snowstorm the drops hitting the camera turned to ice and stuck like rock hard glue all over the camera and lens surface. The internal sun hood on my 50 summilux 1.4 asph froze so I could not move it. I had to use my warm breath on the lens and viewfinder glass to make them clear and then everything was fine. No problems. Film advance was fine. Today, I walk around in what felt as -15 celcius and my lips broke. The camera and lens were covered in ice drops but focussing was still fine, except it was hard to see through the viewfinder. When I got back inside the warm house, the camera was full of water drops inside out, but I let it air dry next to a partly opened window. 10 minuttes and it was as new again ready to use. Amazing. It is winter now, and I am looking forward to see how it works in the upcoming months as it gets colder and colder. But I expect no problems. Leica in Solms told me that I might have to get the grease and oil replaced with something different, but I also heard from other people in the arctic, that it is waste of money. I will see how it turns out. All in all, I am really excited about this camera and I would like to recommend it to anyone who wants a reliable tool. If you already own one, don't be afraid to put it to it's limits. The pictures get better that way (P.S. The equipment that I used together with the MP are: Summicron 28 Asph - Summilux 50 1.4 Asph - Summarit 35 2.5 - and the old M6 Classic.) Comments or questions are welcome. Can we see some pictures of your tried and tested camera and lens in treacherous weather? A picture is worth a thousand words...... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted December 1, 2009 Share #44 Posted December 1, 2009 Can we see some pictures of your tried and tested camera and lens in treacherous weather? A picture is worth a thousand words...... If it makes you happy... Here you go. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/102920-extreme-weather-leica-mp/?do=findComment&comment=1136429'>More sharing options...
R.Morrison Posted December 2, 2009 Share #45 Posted December 2, 2009 Just across the strait here in Nunavut conditions are much the same. My M4-P holds up well. A usefull addition has been an Abrahamsson Rapid Winder (similar to a Leicavit) which allows film winding on and shutter cocking even while wearing sealskin pualuiit. Taima, R. Morrison Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted December 2, 2009 Share #46 Posted December 2, 2009 I posted this pic on the landscape forum already but might as well post here, too. Routeburn Track, Fiordland, New Zealand, M6, 35ASPH, E100. Snow was alternating with freezing rain, and it was very windy and very cold. A chopper had just taken us over the saddle to avoid avalanche danger. I was wearing full wet weather gear and warm gloves. I focused and set the exposure more by guesswork very quickly. Then I handed the M6 to my wife who took a quick shot of me... before we wisely ventured onward. Despite being in a protective pouch, I was scared the Leica would still get wet, but it was just fine. I think RF is well suited to wild weather -- AF could have focussed on the raindrops and snowflakes instead. The coldest I experienced, though, was after staying in a hut cross country skiing. Minus 20C. When we got back to the car, we found shampoo, eggs, and cans of beer all frozen solid! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/102920-extreme-weather-leica-mp/?do=findComment&comment=1137279'>More sharing options...
gyoung Posted December 2, 2009 Share #47 Posted December 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Older M`s required lub removal. Current stuff is much better. LCD and batteries are useless and perhapes damaged by cold. Film can break and get static marks. Keep inside a coat if you can. When in Canada in the 60s the shop I worked at supplied modified Ms for use out in Canadian weather recording log take outs at forestry sites photographing the side view of each truck as it left. The lubrication was removed and I think Leica quoted 1000 shots before shutter overhaul. The camera bodies were in a housing, with a slot cut in each end so that bulk film could be used from fabricated chambers using a 'home made' winder motor, they would be collectors items now wouldn't they! There were also two automatically switched Mecablitz units built in so that use could continue into darkness. We also tried a Contarex and, like a Pentax I tried personally, it didn't work for long at -20 F with lubricants retained Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted December 3, 2009 Share #48 Posted December 3, 2009 (...) A usefull addition has been an Abrahamsson Rapid Winder (similar to a Leicavit) (...) That is good to know. I have been thinking of getting a Leicavit too. I also miss the angled film rewind crank on my MP. At the moment I find it hard to rewind to film with gloves on. But I don't know if that would change anything. I prefer not to take my gloves off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted December 3, 2009 Share #49 Posted December 3, 2009 Interesting thread. Marcus - could you post a photograph of your lens hood modifications? Sounds like a good idea but not sure exactly what you ended up doing? Thanks much. Best. Coos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted December 3, 2009 Share #50 Posted December 3, 2009 If it makes you happy... Here you go. [ATTACH]176032[/ATTACH] Wow, interesting set up. Maybe I should start pushing the limits of my MP as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusperkins Posted December 4, 2009 Share #51 Posted December 4, 2009 Interesting thread. Marcus - could you post a photograph of your lens hood modifications? Sounds like a good idea but not sure exactly what you ended up doing? Thanks much. Best. Coos Thank Coos. Hope the email was helpful. For everybody else: My particular adaptation only really works with the 35mm Summicron asph - You'll need an original lens hood, along with the original rubber cap that fits over the hood (not a lens cap). I glued and taped the rubber cap permanently onto the the lens hood after cutting out a rectangle in the cap to tightly match the frame (I originally cut out bits of cardboard to figure out the exact shape). Adapting the lens hood in this way really made a difference with regards to shooting into the light, and protecting the lens from all sorts of abuse. As the lens hood is plastic, and the cap is made of rubber, it also acts as an impact absorber. If you want to clean the lens, just take the lens hood off. And of course you can always put a lens cap directly onto the lens when the hood is not in place. In 2008, Leica bought out the 28mm elmarit asph with exactly the same lens hood as the 35 summicron asph (proving the original hood for the 35 is too big). If you do have the 28, you could try the same trick with the lens hood for use on the M8, although it will probably be too tight for use on a full frame M. Another useful lens hood (if you can get it) is the metal screw-in hood for the 50mm elmarit collapsable. This also fits the 35mm summicron asph, the 28 elmarit asph, and the 50mm summicron. Small neat and tidy, particularly on the 35 when the conditions aren't too tough. When used on the 28, I don't get any obvious vignetting, although I probably would if a filter was also used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
photophile Posted December 5, 2009 Share #52 Posted December 5, 2009 Marcus - it was. Thanks again. great suggestion. Best. Coos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducttape Posted January 15, 2010 Share #53 Posted January 15, 2010 This might be my first posting here! This is really, really good news. I brought an Epson RD1 and Nikon D200 on the Europa to Antarctica in 06/07. I never got around to shooting rangefinder much, but I have to tell you I was so disappointed with the D200 I was almost in tears a few times. Once, walking in Port Lockroy, the 18-200 lens fell apart in my hands. Literally. This equipment was perhaps 8-9 months new. I was really flabbergasted. I've now pretty much decided my M8 is a waste and will be on the block. I've been tossed between rebuying an M7 or an MP for the first time. Your MP story is really good news for me. Thank you for posting this. David & Josh's Excellent Adventure: Sailing to Antarctica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted January 15, 2010 Share #54 Posted January 15, 2010 So, a little update about the MP here in Greenland: Since my last post, there are still no problems. But - My film broke one time in the M6, so I had to take it home and get it out in the darkroom. The MP (black paint) is getting scratched quickly, so I don't know if the black paint goes off more easily when it's really cold. Anyway, I don't care about paint. I will keep you up to date Takuss Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
time Posted January 16, 2010 Share #55 Posted January 16, 2010 The M8 is fine.. but in extreme cold days and nights (-15 to -25C), the M8 is not as good as MP. Both my MP and M3 are much to prefer now these days than my M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted January 19, 2010 Share #56 Posted January 19, 2010 Just what we need. A little more unfounded rose coloured optimism:D. Go Leica. No other camera can manage it:rolleyes:. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest aurora_borealis Posted January 19, 2010 Share #57 Posted January 19, 2010 Just what we need. A little more unfounded rose coloured optimism:D. Go Leica. No other camera can manage it:rolleyes:. Which posts are you referring to? my original or the answers from people? Looking forward to hear about your experiences. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
frc Posted January 20, 2010 Share #58 Posted January 20, 2010 Referring to rob_x2004's statement. I shot many. Never been shot with the MP. The Netherlands; sandy dunes, moist woodlands, not only cats and dog but drizzle aswell. Not to mention the fine dust in the inner cities and the fungus attacks in the dashboard locker. Showers, showers make me laugh and not just me. A five violent user years surviver. Must stop now, M has to go for a leak............. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted February 1, 2010 Share #59 Posted February 1, 2010 "Gortex and thin rubber laminate that velcro's in place around the camera and your waist" ..sounds sexy (but practical) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.